As of January 1, 2025, US travelers do NOT have to provide proof of flight and hotel bookings during the visa application process. Other former visa requirements (itinerary, invitation letter, etc.) have also been dropped for those applying for a Chinese visa. Here’s what you need to know about what has changed and why it’s gone.
In addition to waiving the requirement for round trip flight and hotel confirmation, which was confirmed by the China embassy in the US, China has also dropped the need to submit an itinerary or invitation letter (for the tourist visa, at least).
These are all great steps, but it’s important to note that you still need a visa to enter China for most countries (although there are some that visa-free countries).
My Recommendation
The process to apply for a China visa post-pandemic is confusing and continues to change every month. In order to ensure that everything gets done properly and within a reasonable amount of time, I always recommend you use a reputable visa service like Passport Visas Express.
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Requirements for a US Citizen to get a China Visa
During COVID, China enacted one of the strictest lockdowns of any country in the world. For more than a year, tourist and most travelers were unable to enter China and those that did were subject to crazy quarantine requirements.
Naturally, this had a negative impact on the tourism dollars entering the country and now that they’ve opened their borders they’re trying to do whatever they can to entice travelers to visit China.
Although the requirements are different for every country, as a US citizen you no longer need to pre-book flights and hotels before you know whether or not you’re even allowed to enter China, nor do you need to submit an itinerary or invitation letter.
Here’s what you do need:
- Passport: Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity and two blank pages. You will also need a photocopy of the bio page of your passport.
- COVA Visa Form: You will need to fill out the online COVA form here and print it out to sign. This form will be physically handed over during the visa application process.
There are different requirements for other visa types, so check the China consulate website for more details.
FAQ: China Visa Itinerary Requirements
Below are the most commonly asked questions in regards to needing flight and hotel reservations in order to apply for a Chinese visa. I also recommend you read my complete guide to getting a Chinese visa.
For US citizens, as of January 1, 2025 it is no longer required to present a hotel booking during the China visa application process. The same applies for any flight bookings.
No, at this time there is no agreement between China and the US that allows for visa-free or visa-on-arrival. You will need to apply for a China visa prior to traveling.
It depends on your passport country. For US citizens, you must apply for a visa prior to your arrival at the airport. Some countries have visa-free or visa-on-arrival agreements with China, so check the China consulate in your country.
Tourist no longer need a letter of invitation to apply for a Chinese visa. There are other visas, such as a business visa, where this is still a requirement.
No. For US citizens, as of January 1, 2025, it is no longer a requirement to present a round-trip flight booking in order to apply for a China visa.
Final Thoughts on China’s Visa Itinerary Policy
Thankfully, China is simplifying the process of applying for a Chinese visa by dropping many of the required documents such as proof of round trip flights and hotels.
RELATED: How to Apply for a China Visa as a US Citizen
You still need to apply for a visa prior to travel if you’re a US citizen, though!
If you do not live near a consulate or if you but want professional visa assistance, I recommend using a visa service like Passport Visas Express (get 10% off when you use the code TCC10). These services help you know what paperwork to prepare and will submit it on your behalf.
